Foundation finds focus for campaign

Goal of $100,000 would mean $500 in books for every elementary classroom.

Goal of $100,000 would mean $500 in books for every elementary classroom.

June 06, 2006|ERIN MILLER Tribune Staff Writer

MISHAWAKA -- Trying to find the right book can make young readers feel a little like Goldilocks exploring the three bears' house. Some books are too challenging. Some books are too easy. But in School City of Mishawaka classrooms, classroom libraries are helping students find the book that's "just right" for them. Twin Branch Model School first-graders Jack Spalding and Branden Phelps have the system figured out. "If you have a hard time reading a book, if it gets boring, you have to put that back and find another book," 7-year-old Branden said, taking a break from independent reading in Kasey St. Clair's classroom. The boys like having the shelves of books, separated in plastic bins by subject, author and reading level, at their fingertips. And the classroom library is kid-friendly, they said. "I like all those books because you have lots of books to choose from," 8-year-old Jack said. "It's easier because there aren't as many books as in the public library." Easy sorting and selections aside, teachers see classroom libraries as a way to engage students in books, offering them in a variety of subjects. "When they find a particular thing they like, they can have easy access to that type of book," St. Clair said. "It makes reading fun." Members of the Mishawaka Education Foundation hope to make reading even more fun for the corporation's elementary school students as they kick off a campaign to raise $100,000 before school starts next fall. If successful, the campaign would mean $500 in books for every classroom in all seven of the corporation's elementary schools. Donations already total $25,000, including a $10,000 gift from the Mishawaka High School Alumni Association. Foundation board member Steve Ellison said contributing to the fundraising campaign is a way community members can get involved in Mishawaka schools. "Can you imagine a better opportunity than this?" Ellison said. "By contributing, they will have an impact for years." Emmons Elementary second-grade teacher Cara Patton told school board members and community members about the impact the classroom libraries can have on young readers. "I can't think of a better way to spend money than to put books in children's hands," Patton said. Staff writer Erin Miller: emiller@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6553